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Tours and operators in Palenque
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The surge in the numbers of tourists visiting Palenque has encouraged a dozen or so travel agencies to offer
tours
to the surrounding attractions. None can sell you an international air ticket, nor is there anywhere in town to rent a car. However, any of them can take you to the waterfalls at
Agua Azul
and
Misol-Ha
and further afield to the ruins of
Bonampak
and
Yaxchilan
. Bear in mind that since the paving of the Frontier Highway, leading to Bonampak and Yaxchilan, and the opening of inexpensive accommodation and restaurants nearby, the sites are easy enough to
visit independently
. See the relevant entries for details of how to get to Bonampak and Yaxchilan on your own.
If you do go on a tour make sure what's included in the price: entry to the sites for example, meals or an English-speaking guide. Sample prices are: US$10 per person for an all-day trip to Misol-Ha and Agua Azul; US$55 for a one-day van-based trip to the Maya ruins at Yaxchilan and Bonampak; and US$85 for an overnight trip to both sites, including camping near Bonampak. To visit both sites by plane will cost around US$130. A taxi to Bonampak costs around US$70. Guided horse riding is also on offer, and some agencies can organize rafting and light aircraft flights. The agencies also like to arrange travel to Guatemala via Bethel on the Rio Usumacinta - about US$30 to Flores - but you can do the trip on your own and visit Yaxchilan on the way for less.
The best
tour agent
in Palenque is Na Chan Kan (tel 019/345-0263,
nachan@tnet.net.mx
), with a small office on Juarez just up from the bus station and a main office behind the restaurant of the same name, on the corner of Hidalgo and Jimenez, on the corner of the zocalo; the manager speaks good English. Other recommended agencies are Viajes Yax-Ha, Juarez 123 (tel 019/345-0798,
yax_ha@tnet.net.mx
) and Kichan Bahlum, on Juarez, near the corner with Abasolo (tel 019/345-0511). Two rival companies, Colectivos Chambalu and Transportes Otolum, run
combis
and buses to the
Palenque ruins
(every 15min 6am-6pm; US$0.80) from their depots on Allende, either side of the junction with Juarez. They each also have two daily trips to
Agua Azul
(US$9). Other useful information
for tourists (each section contains more specific sub-sections): |
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Mexico,
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